The problem

A year ago, Burnely FC would promotion form the Champtionship having amassed 101 points in their 46 games, with Manager Voncent Kompany having taken over and changed the way the team played from how they ended the previous season.

The prive for winning the Champtionship is, of course, promoton to the Premier League.

While they were not expected to win the League or challenge for honours, they were expected to survive.

What has happened as been a disappointment, to say the least. They are currently 19th in the table, having conceded 74 goals from their 36 games. They are five points from safety with just two games remaining, they will be relegated if they do not win both those games.

Sheffield United who finished second to Burnley are currenly bottomof the Premier League, their relegation confirmed last week, and today, losing 3-1 to Nottingham Forest, have conceded 100 goals.

What does it mean for the future of the Premier League, and the Football League if winning the Championship at a canter is fllowed by 38 games of a battle against relegation? Is winning the Football League worth it, only to see your team humiated on a weekly basis, live on TV?

I say this because today, Ipswich Town were confirmed a runners up in the Championship, thus securing their second promotion in two seasons. They deserve to go up, without doubt. But what will their fate be? In time, a promoted team will surviv for longer than a year, maybe even thrive. But Tpwn play a high risk, high press game that will present the opposition in the Prem with lots of chances in the Ipwich third.

They might get away with it. Sheffield Utd did three season back, even finishing in the top half of the Prem. They were relegated the following season as their tactic of overlapping fullbacks was dealt with. They failed to win a game until December.

Norwich secured a play off position, and will play Leeds home and away to see who goes to the play off final at the end of the month. One of them might win the final, then what? Another season of bruising humiliations in the Prem? Its almost like a prize not winning.

And that is going to be a problem. When fans, players and clubs don't really want to go up.